Page 31 of The Forbidden Dragon King
What campaign? How dangerous is it?
The memory of the lavender eyed Shadow Fae King who I’d been meaning to run to, when Aurelius snatched me to safety instead, flashes into my mind.
I don’t know whether my fear is for Aurelius or for Daire.
Aurelius’ expression softens. “Don’t worry about it. I’m not the one in danger.”
I figured.
I watch through my eyelashes, as the King marches to the flap at the front of the tent. “Where are you going?”
When Aurelius turns back to me, his eyes are like molten gold, and his smile is cold death. “To fight the most important battle of my long life. One that will end in the defeat and either death or capture of an old foe who Iwillbe leashing and keeping in a cage.”
Fuck, no.King Daire.
“Are you…?” I wet my dry lips, trying desperately to sound like I don’t care, when in fact, I’m breaking apart inside. “Why…?”
“An ambush. And when Daire is on his knees before me, perhaps I will spare his life and turn him into my second pet. Would you like company in Bael? He’s meant to be the best.” Aurelius laughs but it’s a dead sound. “But then, he is even more likely than you are to bite. He’s not awolf like you. He’ll be a fallen king, not deserving the title, as clawless as a kitten. I shall call him Kit.”
“You haven’t beaten him yet.”
Aurelius cocks his head, studying me. “He’s a bandit. His army of outlaws are a plague. Wish your King luck at scourging the land of their evil.”
Why does he care that I wish him luck? Why does he sound hurt like I’m taking sides?
Who even am I to him?
“You’re at war with the fae,” I count off on my fingers, “at war with the vampires. Is there anyone who you’re not at war with?”
“You,” Aurelius replies, softly.
Then he turns with a swish of his cloak and pushes the flap of the tent aside.
Sharp, dangerous, and cold, Aurelius strides out to fight the final battle in the Second Fae War.
CHAPTER FIVE
Draca Military Camp
Aurelius
Why didI say that to Freya? Why do I care that she didn’t wish me luck? Why the fuck would I give her the bracelet that I inherited from Father?
I am going to fucking die, when Uncle and the Shadow Court realize that I have given a courting gift to anenemy’sOmega.
A pet now bears my golden mark around her wrist like a beacon of my promise to claim her.
If I’m not killed, then it will makeFreya a target of jealousy and hate amongst the pit of vipers who hiss their venom at the heart of my rotten kingdom.
When you live amongst the serpents, your fangs have to become sharper than the rest.
I’ve also learned, however, that you don’t always need to let out the monster inside yourself. You can find the best spies and assassins to be your monsters for you.
Except, tonight I’ll finally unleash my own darkness. I’m finishing a war of feathers and bones that Father started.
I fiddle with my golden ring.
Would he finally be proud of me? Is this what he wanted?
